Third Person POV

BEEP!! BEEP!! BEEP!! BEEP!! BEE-

The sound of Issei's alarm clock reverberated throughout his bedroom, causing the boy to stir in annoyance as he raised one of his hands and turned off the device. With that task completed, he returned his hand to the bed and attempted to resume sleeping. After a few minutes of complete silence, Issei's eyes suddenly flew open.

Startled, he swiftly sat up and observed that he was not only in his bed but inexplicably back at his house, which left him deeply bewildered.

Issei: "What the heck?..."

Issei was uncertain how to interpret this situation. Why had he returned to his house? The last thing he could recall was receiving a call from Rias, informing him about a Stray Devil that needed to be dealt with; beyond that, his memory was a complete blank.

Issei: "Why am I back in my bedroom?"

His focus shifted to his arm.

Issei: "Hey, Ddraig. Do you know what happened?"

Silence.

Issei: "Ddraig?"

Silence persisted.

Issei pinched the bridge of his nose and released a small sigh of frustration. Despite Ddraig's immense power to slay a God, he seemed to act more like a lethargic lizard.

Issei: "For goodness' sake..."

He lightly slapped his own arm.

Issei: "Wake the fuck up!"

Suddenly, a green glow enveloped Issei's arm as the Boosted Gear emerged, and the gem shimmered.

Ddraig: ["WHO! WHAT! WHY!?"]

Issei: "Finally, you're awake, lazy dragon."

Ddraig groaned.

Ddraig: ["What do you want, Partner? It's too early..."]

Glancing at the clock, Issei noted it was nearly 8 o'clock, meaning he had a short time before he needed to depart for Kuoh Academy. However, his attention returned to the Boosted Gear as he deadpanned at it.

Issei: "It's almost 8 o'clock. Why are you so tired?"

Ddraig yawned.

Ddraig: ["Not sure, just am..."]

Issei rolled his eyes, stood up, and stretched, eliciting a satisfying crack from his right shoulder.

Issei: "Anyway, Ddraig. Any idea what happened to us? Why am I back in my house?"

Ddraig: ["What do you mean, Part-"]

Ddraig fell silent as he surveyed their surroundings through the Boosted Gear, confirming they were in Issei's bedroom. This puzzled the Welsh Dragon, as he was fairly certain he hadn't fallen asleep after their conversation.

The last thing he remembered was discussing a math question with the brown-haired boy's teacher. Additionally, he recalled Issei receiving a phone call, although the details were hazy after the ringtone.

Something seemed amiss with his partner. What had transpired, and how? As Ddraig was connected to Issei's soul, he typically had access to the boy's memories, providing insights into his host. However, an unexpected complication arose, hindering his ability to recall events following Issei's phone call.

Issei immediately took notic Ddraig's silence and knew that something was definitely wrong.

Issei: "Ddraig, is something wrong?"

Ddraig: ["Unfortunately, there's an issue... I can't seem to access your memories"]

This revelation surprised Issei, who had hoped Ddraig could shed light on the situation. Perhaps seeking answers from Rias would provide clarity, especially since he needed to apologize for missing their prior engagement.

He let out a small sigh.

Issei: "The day just started and already its going bad..."

Ddraig: ["Indeed, Partner. What do you think we should do about our current situation?"]

Issei fell silent for a minute or two, walking over to his bedroom door before grabbing the door knob and opening it.

Issei: "For now, we play it cool and see what we can gather"

Ddraig: ["What about, Gremory?"]

Issei scratched the back of his head.

Issei: "I'll see what I can come up with, but do you think you can try and figure out what happened to us?"

Ddraig grunted a little.

Ddraig: ["I'll try, Partner. But there is no guarantee that I'll be able to dig up anything useful"]

Issei: "Well, you know what they say... something is better then nothing"

Ddraig: ["Mhm, indeed...."]

With that, Issei soon stood in front of the bathroom door and opened it, going inside before closing the door behind him. Since Dante and Vergil were gone, Issei was gonna have to figure all this out on his own. Getting help from Trish, Lady, or even Dead weight wasnt gonna be much of an option either since they were in their world.

Sure he could use the Yamato to try and cut through the dimensions, but there was no guarantee that one would lead to Dante and Vergils world. After all, it took them both giving up their power and life to allow Issei to even get back to his own world, the last thing he wanted was to get stuck in another random world.

For now, he'll see what Ddraig can dog up before he decides to make any rash decisions on what to do next. Though he can't help but wonder if whatever happened to him has to do with the random Plastic Chair that was in his bedroom.

He wasnt gonna bring it up, for some damn reason there was a perfectly good plastic chair in his bedroom which Issei had noticed when he left but didn't bring it up with Ddraig. Issei wasnt sure where it came from, but he got a very strange feeling from it. Like, it oozed this aura that one would feel when they come across a boss room in a video game.

But it probably was just his imagination, after all its a chair. Its not like it has its own boss music or anything, just a regular plastic chair and nothing more than that.

After having his shower, Issei dried himself off before going back to his bedroom and got dressed for school. With that done, he made his way downstairs to the kitchen and fully expected to see his parents waiting for him. However, when he got down there he couldn't see them anywhere which confused him.

Issei: "Okay... this is weird"

Ddraig: ["Indeed, Partner. Where are your parents?"]

Issei crossed his arms thoughtfully.

Issei: "I'm not sure. Dad doesn't start work until 9, and Mom doesn't have anything planned today"

The brown-haired boy soon caught a glimpse of something and turned his attention to the table, where he saw two things waiting for him. The first was a plate with a few pieces of cooked bacon, a couple of sausages, some scrambled eggs, and even a glass of water. The second item that Issei noticed was a note placed directly to the right of the plate.

Issei: "A note?"

Issei walked over to the table, picked up the note, and began to read it.

"Hey, Son. You're probably wondering why we aren't there right now. Well, your mother and I are going to be traveling overseas for a while because I apparently have been given a task by my boss. You'll have everything you need, and we'll send you money every fortnight so you don't have to worry. Just remember to keep up with your studies and don't get into trouble. Sincerely, your father."

After reading the note, Issei was filled with mixed emotions. He felt relieved that his parents wouldn't be caught in any supernatural events, but he also found it suspicious since his father was usually average at work.

There was a chance that there was nothing to worry about. As far as Issei knew, only Rias, her Peerage, and the Fallen Angels knew about his connection to the supernatural. Issei reasoned that Raynare wouldn't let any harm come to his parents, not because of their encounter but because she knew Issei was not someone to trifle with.

Issei: "Well, it looks like we now know why my parents aren't here."

Ddraig: ["Indeed, Partner. Though I find this very strange"]

Issei nodded in agreement.

Issei: "Yeah, I do as well. But there's not much we can do about it now that they're already gone"

Ddraig: ["True..."]

Issei sat down in his chair, picked up his knife and fork, and started to eat his breakfast. The food was still warm, indicating that his parents must have left not too long ago for the airport. As he ate, Issei pondered where his parents might be heading, likely to another country.

If necessary, he could call them or use the Yamato to check on them, but for now, Issei chose to trust that they were alright.

Ddraig: ["So, partner, what do we have planned for today?"]

Issei ate a piece of bacon.

Issei: "First, gotta do some training because if I don't, then I swear Vergil will appear and kick my ass"

Ddraig chuckled.

Ddraig: ["I'm glad that Vergil and I got along; he was a better influence than his younger sibling"]

Issei: "Hey, Dante wasn't so bad. He taught me quite a lot of things, actually"

Ddraig deadpanned through the Sacred Gear.

Ddraig: ["He corrupted you into eating nothing but Pizza and Strawberry Sundaes; he also made you pay for them all"]

Issei rolled his eyes.

Issei: "It wasn't that bad."

Ddraig: ["Not bad? He made you pay up over 2.7 million dollars! I'm still surprised that we were able to get the money!"]

Issei flinched, not from the shouting but from the number. He almost forgot that it was around that much for all the Pizza and Strawberry Sundaes. Truthfully, Issei wished that he could forget the painful experience, but thanks to Ddraig, it looks like that won't be happening anytime soon.

Issei: "Yeah... thanks for reminding me about that."

Ddraig merely let out a small sigh.

Meanwhile...

Dark.

Dead.

Barren.

In this place, the sky was covered in dark clouds as thunder roared and lightning raged across the sky. The ground was dead, the trees were gone, all the water was vanished, and there was no sign of any life at all. What was worse is that the sun was blocked and seemed stuck in an eternal solar eclipse.

Standing atop the dark mountain, looking over the dead landscape, was a shadowy figure. This figure was some sort of demon, but its appearance was unknown because it was cloaked in darkness. However, some features like the four-like wings, four curved horns, and long hair down to its shoulders could be discerned.

???: "For so long I have waited patiently for this chance. This world of mine is dying, but I still rule it. There are those who try to stop me, to kill me, to erase me from existence"

The figure then looked at its claw.

???: "I am the strongest, the most powerful one to have ever existed..."

The figure soon heard a noise and turned to see a demon approaching. This demon stood over seven feet tall, appearing reptilian in nature with sharp claws and teeth. The unique aspect was that this demon had two heads on the same body.

???: "Has Mundus arrived in that world?"

The demon bowed its two heads to the figure.

Head 1: "Yes, my King. That failure of a 'Prince' arrived without any issues"

The second head growled at the first one.

Head 2: "I was gonna tell him that!"

The first head growled back.

Head 1: "You were too slow! That's why I'm in charge"

This angered the second head.

Head 2: "Oh yeah!? Says who!"

Head 1: "Says me! I'm older, therefore I'm in charge!"

This only angered the second head as it procceded to bite the first ones neck,, causing it to fight back against the swcond head. The pointless bickering annoyed the figure, who decided to end it.

???: "ENOUGH!"

This sudden shout caused the demon to freeze in place, then lower itself to the ground and bow to the figure. Both heads were sweating immensely, feeling the sheer aura emanating from the figure.

Both heads: "Forgive us, master! We did not mean to anger you!"

The figure narrowed his eyes at the demon.

???: "Perhaps putting you two in charge was a mistake. Maybe I should put someone else in charge, someone who will get the job done without bickering..."

The two heads' eyes widened.

Head 1: "No, master, we can do this!"

Head 2: "Please! Give us another chance!"

Silence filled the throne room as the figure stared down at the demon. The figure let out a sigh of annoyance.

???: "Very well, but this is your last chance"

The demon bowed to the figure once again.

Both heads: "Thank you, master! We will not fail you!"

With that, the demon left quickly before annoying their master. Alone in the absence of the twin-headed demon, the figure stood in silence.

???: "I'm surrounded by idiots..."

He raised one of his claws, and an orb of fiery color floated before him, giving off a powerful Demonic aura.

???: "Both you and Mundus couldn't kill one of the spawn of Sparda, but you should be able to kill a mere human, even if he has their power"

The figure's eyes began to glow a deep crimson red color.

???: "It doesn't matter how powerful he is, even with their power and that Sacred Gear of his... Even if the forces of his worlds underworld and heaven join forces against me. Rememeber these words readers and remember them well..."

The figure then turned and looked at the readers, his crimson red eyes burning into their souls as he had a expressionless face.

???: "I am The TRUE Demon King...."

...

....

....

END OF CHAPTER